The Prototyping Mindset & Report Card

Facilitating collaboration for projects or initiatives can often focus heavily on intellectual discussion and include little experimentation to iterate on the ideas at play. But getting hands-on to test early ideas – such as for a shared lab space, an open-access database, or a novel study design – can both tap into different ways of thinking and make the abstract tangible.

This IDEO U Creative Confidence Series podcast episode and guide outline what, how, and why to take on a prototype mindset to improve your ideas. As part of a collaborative meeting, you can introduce this thinking throughout the ideation process or even try out a brief prototype activity as a fun icebreaker that serves to socialize hands-on thinking.

Try the Prototyping Report Card with your team:

• Create a worksheet for each of your prototypes using this template.
• Complete the report card in two sections: align on what you want to learn and how you’ll test; document what you learn later.
• Test your prototype with end users (these may be others on your team!)
• Debrief with your team after every round.